Buying a home is exciting and fun (& stressful) While we share your enthusiasm for your
new home to be, we also provide the calm counsel that is a product of our
many years of experience in the industry. You will value your relationship
with our experienced, supportive brokers. Our ultimate product is your satisfaction,
and your happiness is our goal.
It's a "Home" not a "House"
that you wantAny salesman, broker, friend or relative
can find a house for you to tour. At C&D our focus is
on listening to you, then asking the right questions. We know the difference
between investing in houses and buying a home. We give you the benefit not
only of our personal experience but also of the experience of hundreds of
clients who have trod this path before you.
Location, Location, Location"Location, Location, Location"
is real estate's oldest adage. Often overlooked has been "timing, timing,
timing". An example of what we mean is what is now known as the "Rust
Belt," the steel and automotive centers of the mid-west. In the 1940's,
1950's and 1960's places like Pittsburgh and Dearborn were great places
to own real estate. But by 1980 some people literally gave their homes away
to move to where they could find jobs. We at Carnahan & Davis
listen to the beat of the marketplace. We know which neighborhoods are emerging,
which are on the edge of emerging and which have already seen their greatest
price growth. We can help you match your needs with the neighborhoods as
they are and as they will be in the future.
Determining a fair price is not always
easyAdjusting prices for neighborhood differences
and size differences can be tricky. "Functional obsolescence,"
"economic obsolescence" and "deferred maintenance" are
among the terms an appraiser must master, both in concept and in application.
It is easy to be misled by the "Buying/Selling Your Own House For Dummies"
approach to real estate. On the other hand, one of the C&D principals
was an appraiser and has appeared in Oregon court as an expert appraisal
witness. While he no longer performs appraisals, he is uniquely well-suited
to help you resolve your question "How much should I pay for that house?"
His counsel is available to all C&D clients at no extra charge.
We spend our time so you won't have
toOn average, we spend about six hours looking
for property for you to consider for every hour you spend viewing those
properties. We also spend time learning about and understanding the seller's
position to help you buy your house at the best price possible. Of course,
we also help you with industry-standard paper work, pick-up and delivery
which saves your time.
People we trustOther kinds of experts will be involved
in your transaction. After we find your new home, it needs to be inspected
by a professional. The professional home inspection is an important part
of buying a new home because it reduces risk. While you are welcome to have
anyone you like perform this service,we know a few we trust and will be
happy to recommend them. By now, you will also have filled out paperwork
for a lender. Here again, we want you to work with someone you know and
trust. There are a few we can recommend if you wish. Finally, unlike many
brokers, one of us will always be at closing with you. This is the end of
the trail, a time when you are most excited and most worn out. As always,
we are there for you.
What will it cost?
Carnahan & Davis
fees to represent you are paid by the seller in almost all cases. The seller
will pay the fees for any property on the multiple listing service. Other
situations such as homes for sale by owner are dealt with on a case-by-case
basis.
DOWN PAYMENTS normally range from 3% to
20%. The disadvantages to smaller down payments usually include higher interest
rate, higher monthly payments and mortgage insurance (which, unlike interest,
is not deductible from your income tax).
LENDERS charge fees for their services,
normally in the range of 1% to 2%. These fees vary considerably with the
state of the bond market, the Federal Reserve posture on interest rates,
and demand for loans. Lender's fees often are paid by increasing the amount
of the loan. You will also be charged for a credit report, for document
preparation and for an appraisal. The credit report, appraisal fees, document
preparation fees and the like usually have to be paid in cash.
ESCROW SERVICES charge a fee, and if you
have a mortgage you will be required to pay for a title insurance policy
for the lender, which is separate from the policy that the seller will pay
for and give to you. You will also be charged for recording the documents
with the county (the county charges a fee to cover its costs), for document
delivery and usually a wire transfer fee for wiring funds from the lender
to the escrow account.
The cash fees should be added to the down
payment to determine the total amount of cash needed to buy a home.
